Weird Wistling/squealing

[denisb]

I've got a 2004 explorer Sport Trac. If i drive it for a couple of miles at speeds between 30mph and highwayspeed at a constant speed, it develops a squeal or wistle (somewhere between a squealing belt and a vacum leak).

If I come of the gas it goes louder and then goes away. If I slow down slowly it stays more constant until I get almost stoped and then stops almost instantly. I can Rev the motor all I want, I can't make it happen when I'm stopped. (Which P's me off, because I can't locate it)

Lately, I've been trying to keep a constant RPM to slow down and see if it'll keep doing it until I stop, but it always goes away as I almost get stopped. If I kick it in neutral and rev it will I'm driving and it's squealing, the tone barely changes.

I'm at a lost and I'm thinking my dealer will just tell me they can't find the problem.

Any Ideas?!?!?!?!

Denis

[mechanicsnearyou]

I have the same exact problem with my Ford Explorer 2003. I have had it in the shop and they say its nothing. I have had the squeal for over a year now and no problems have developed from it - yet.

[denisb]

Thanks for the reply....at least I know I'm not going crazy . I'm still going to bring it in, maybe they've seen it before. If I get something I'll post. It's not as much future problems, but it's getting anoying. You can only turn up the radio so much

Denis

[bmolk]

i have the exact same thing in my 2004 explorer. if anyone knows what this is i would appreciate it. i also have a hesitation when i step on the gas pedal. there is only 42000 miles on this vehicle. thanks for any info

[denisb]

Well, I had it at the dealer and they admit to hearing the whistling, but can pinpoint it. Since they can't find the problem, my extended warranty doesn't cover the cost of looking at the issue. So I'm out $70 and no solution........isn't it grand?

Anyway.... I was driving in town the other day and I noticed that, when this happens, the shift patern seems to be affected making the truck more sluggish. I only really had a chance to try it once, so this could just be a fluke.

Ah well, I'm going to be looking into this a little deeper myself I guess and maybe I can charge the stealer.....um....dealer for the time I spent doing the diagnostics.

If anyone has any more info/ideas on other things they noticed on the subject, feel free to butt in amy time.

Denis

[poormans96exploder]

I have a 1996 Explorer that had the same problem, and I had a 1998 Taurus that had the same problem. My mechanic who is amazing, finally pinpointed the Explorer as having a bad Iac part and it fixed it. I went to Auto Zone and got one to replace the one on the Taurus as well. It was quite a while ago, but I believe it's called an Iac Control or an Iac Idler??????

[denisb]

Thanks a bunch! I'm going to check into this and find out for sure. I'll keep you posted. Any idea how much $$?

Denis

[poormans96exploder]

The one for my Taurus was around40 or 70??? I'm sorry that I really can't recall. I do know that it must be a new part you put on and that it is for the CORRECT model/vehicle because they are timed differently. For example, the 3.0L 98 Windstar one would not work correctly with my 3.0L 98 Taurus. I got mine at either Advanced Auto (if you have those near you, they are the best!) or Auto Zone. I want to say the name is Iac Control, Iac Idle, or Iac Assembly. I want to say it is mounted on the top of your engine area (it is extremely visible one you get the new part to match them up!) I believe the new part should come with an "O" ring to use as well. I hope this will help you with your squealing noise. Like I've stated, I have had 2 Fords with the same problem and the Iac fixed it for both!

Good Luck!

[denisb]

I've looked around on the net and the IAC sounds like it could give me the symthomes I described. I found the location of it, so I'm going to try reproducing the whistle and use mechanic's ears or something of the sort to see if that's where the sound is coming from.

Thanks again for your info,

Denis

[dusouth]

I, too, have a 2004 Explorer. It also squeels.
I first thouhgt it was the heater. But the sound goes away when I take my foot off the gas. Also, it only happens when it is below 20 degrees and at speeds over 50m.p.h.

[dxve]

Me too! 2003 Sport Trac - only when it's cold (-10C). It comes in gradually when you're holding a constant throttle position and as soon as I let off, it fades away. Re-accelerating slowly seems to avoid the noise. Once the truck is fully warmed up, no noise. Weird.